Homeland Security Secretary heads into a second straight day of high-stakes Capitol Hill combat Wednesday, this time facing House Democrats eager to press her on ICE arrests, warrantless operations and the Trump administrations mass deportation push â all as a partial shutdown clouds her agency.
After sparring with Senate Democrats over DACA arrests and Election Day enforcement, Noem now enters a House Judiciary hearing stacked with vocal critics, from Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. to Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., setting up another marathon session over immigration enforcement and executive power.
Noem caught heat from both sides during a , when most Republicans praised her work correcting what they view as former President Joe Bidens failed border policies. But Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and the entirety of the Democratic side of the dais emphatically confronted her during their questioning time.
In Wednesdays hearing, Noem is expected to go up against House Judiciary Committee ranking member Raskin early, as the Maryland Democrat has previously pressed for more oversight of Noem and DHS, including rescission of policies allowing warrantless operations.
Rep. , D-Wash., who is likely the committees top progressive, has previously called for stricter oversight of DHS and has criticized Noems management of ICE as it carries out immigration enforcement operations in cities including Minneapolis and New Orleans.
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., will also have a turn to question Noem. Her district in Delaware County was once a reliable Republican stronghold that elected a former Pennsylvania House speaker and leaned toward Trump in 2016. But it has since shifted and sided consistently with Democrats in recent elections.
Scanlons district has also featured numerous anti-ICE protests in visible areas such as the major intersection of Baltimore Pike and PA-320 last year, where throngs amassed to wave signs in the countys commercial hub.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, who is fighting a tough Senate primary Tuesday night, will question Noem near the end of Wednesdays session.
Noem will also take questions from Rep. Henry “Hank” Johnson, D-Ga., and Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., both of whom clashed with Attorney General just days ago.
Rep. , D-Calif., and Rep. Jesus Garcia, D-Ill., have both been critical of ICEs activities, as Garcia previously slammed Noem for her agencys conduct during enforcement operations in his heavily Hispanic district in Chicago.
Noem is expected to have a less confrontational time answering questions from Chairman , R-Ohio, and his caucus, which includes border-state Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Kevin Kiley, Tom McClintock and Darrell Issa, R-Calif.
The wild card in is typically Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has been criticized by the “MAGA” right for being insufficiently supportive of some of the administrations policies.
Other members of note on the 44-member panel include Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., Rep. Brad Knott, R-N.C., and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis.
On Tuesday, Noem clashed with ranking member Richard Durbin, D-Ill., over and questioned why Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., were concerned about ICE being dispatched near polling places on Election Day.
Noem appeared to ask both men whether their concern had anything to do with the idea of , which is illegal.
